Washing machine



Jan. 10, 1928.

A. w. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. l2, 1925 IKVEETEIE.

Jan. 10, 1928. 1,655,806

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imzznr :5

Patented :Jan. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALPHEUS W. ALTOBFEB, O1 PEOBIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO ALTOBI'EB BEDS. GOI- ran, 01' EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

wasnme mcnma.

Application filed January 12, 1925. Serial No. 1,770.

ular reference to that type of washin ma-- chine intended for domestic or househo d use 5 including reciprocating vacuum cups and especially to the type embodying a flat bottom tub or clothes container.

The principal object of the invention isto increase the life of the bottom of the tub or m container, by decreasing or eliminating the possibility of the bottom responding to the pounding or downward and liftin or suction action which is created in was ing machines due to the action of the reciprocating vacuum cups or other similar was ing elements; by providin an annular ring either an integral part 0 or capable of engagement with the tub supporting frame structure or base rin which will hold the bottom having a bulge or swaged inwardly or upwardly shape over such ring givin the appearance on the inner side of the tui bottom of an embossed rin located medially of the bottom, thereby giving firmness and strength to the bottom and preventing the same from vibrating and acting in response to the actions of the washing elements in and on the water. I

The invention has for a further object to provide a groove or channel in the annular ring into which ressed, thereby providing a water channel or draining purposes.

It is well known in the manufacture of a washing machines that there are many ways of giving firmness or stiflness to the bottoms.

of the tubs or containers; such for instance, as grooving, swa 'ng or embossing the same, preferably in di erent designs or shapes, all of which have had for their object to stiffen the bottom of the tub or container with relation to the side walls thereof, but such structures have failed to make a suflicient rigid contact with the tub supporting frame a structure or base ring, and as a result, when used in connection with a washing machine embodyin reciprocating vacuum cups or washing e ements of a like character have not prevented the tub bottom from responding to the action of the plounders or vacuum cups, thereby eventua y weakening the tub bottom at' ints of retention and causin a breaker eak on account of 'a continued vi rating actionof such bottom.

the tub bottom may be Referring particularl to the type of as washing machine embo ying reciprocating. vacuum cups or washing elements of a like character, it will be understood that the downward or pounding stroke of the cups upon hitting the water transmits such action through the water to be absorbed by the bottom of the tub or container, and the upward or suction stroke of the cups from out of the water tends to create a vacuum and such action must be absorbed by the bottom of the tub or container. Without the use of my invention, it has been found that this combined downward or pounding stroke and upward or suction stroke has caused the tub bottom to respond to the action of the cups or unders in the form of vibration and crab eventually weakening the bottom of the tu or container at points of retention and caus-. ing leakage.

That-the invention ma be more fully understood, reference is ha to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the present description, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a washing machine, partly in section, of the-vacuum cup type, showing an embodiment of the inven-' ion; I

Figure 2 is a to plan view of the machine as thesame woul appear on the line 2-2, Figure 1, the tub bottom being partly broken to show the construction and arrangement of the invention;

Fi re 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a modification of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the groove or water channel as the same would appear on the line 4-4, Figure 5, and

Figure 5 is a top plan view, partl broken away, showing the modification i1 ustrated in Figure 3.

Like characters of reference denote cor responding parts throughout the figures.

In the drawings, the washing machine is shown including a tub or container 1, supported by legs or standards 2, each having its lower end and through the bottom of the tub or container and at 1ts upper end around the shaft into the upstanding sleeve. Connected with the shaft 6 at its upper end is a supporting frame 8 to which are connected referably vacuum cups or pounders 9, ca 8%16 of reciprocal androtatable or rockable movement by the shaft'6 when operated by suitable means in cooperation with an electric motor, not shown.

- 10 designates an annular ring and as shown in Figure 1 is an integral part of the base ring or tub su porting frame structure 4. It is shown prefgrablylocated ap roximately mediall ofthe base ring 4 and having an upstan ing portion constructed to fit snugly against the upwardly bulged ring 11 of the bottom of the tub or container, resulting in the bottom of the tub or container, when placed upon the ring 10, being bulged'upwardly or inwardly, as shown in Figure 1. 1 Figure 2 best discloses by a top plan view the location of the annular ring 10 and is therej preferably'shown forming a part of the base ring or tub supporting rame structure 4 which is shown as being of web construction.

A water channel or groove 12, best. seen ,in-Figurefi, is provided n the ring 10 and is preferably arranged to be located in the same plane with the drainopening 13 located near the side walls'of the tub or container 1 and connected to the drain valve 14. In a washing machine embodying the invention the tub {draining efficiency of the tub botto bottom would, be pressed or wedged into the groove or channel 12 of the rin 10 and provide a water'channel 15 exten 113g, from the center of the tub bottom to the r ing 13, see. Figure 2, thereby increasing the Locatlng the ring 10, referably as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to old the bulged or swaged inwardly or u wardly ortion 11 in shape, it will be seen t at the tu bottom has the appearance on its inner bottom side of an embossed annular ring, intercepted by a water or drain channel 15. On either side of the raised portion, supported by the ring 10, the bottom fits snugly against the base ring 4 and will be understood to provide water channels to the drain opening13 relieving an attendant the necessity of tilting the washing machine to drain the same.

Figure 3 is substantially similar to Figure 1 except that a modification of the annular ring 10 is shown, preferably in the form of a separate ring unit 16 and provided with depending lugs 17 to engage with and overain open-- lap the webs of the .base'rin or tub sup- It will be seen-that with the invention applied in a washing machine, particularly ofthe reciprocating vacuum cup type or other similar structure, the pounding or downward stroke and the suction or lifting stroke of the cups will have no eifect upon the bottom of the tub or container and will positively prevent the same from responding to the action of the cups in avibrating action or any other action which might destroy the fitting of the bottom of the tub at points of retention and causingleakage.

The operation and function of the various parts, it is believed, have been clearly defined in'the foregoing description and while the construction shown is particularly simple, elficient and economical, I, do not wish to limit myself to that specific construction except as may be defined by the claims.

1.' In a washing machine, a container having a bottom provided with a raised portionand a radially arranged depressed portion forming a dram, a bottom support for said container, means on said support for stiffening the raised portion of said container, said stifiening means provided with a radially disposed grooveto receive said drain portion of said container.

2. In a washing'machine, in combination,

a container having a bottom, a supporting frame including a support for the container and an annular ring on said support provided with a radially disposed groove, said ring providing a stifienin means for the container bottom and said ottom having a radially arranged de ressed portion seated in the groove of sai ring, said do ressed portion andthe flat surfaces of said ottom constituting annular and radial draining grooves in the bottom of the container.

3; In a washing machine, in combination, a container having a bottom formed with a raised portion, a supporting frame, 'a web like suipporting base on the frame forming v a rest or the container, and an annular ring separate from said base and disposed thereon to provide a stiffening means for said raised portion of the container bottom.

4. In a washing machine, in combination, a container having a bottom formed with a raised portion and provided with a radially depressed portion forming a drain, a supporting frame, on the frame, forming a rest for the container, and an annular ring separate from said base and disposed thereon to provide a a web-like supporting base stiffening means for said raised portion of the container bottom, said ring having a groove to receive said drain portion of the container.

5. In a washing machine, a frame rovided with a container support, a container having a bottom provided with flattened surfaces and a raised portion with a radial groove therethrough forming a drain, and a stiffening means on said support for the raised portion of said container bottom and with a radially disposed groove forming a seat for said drain.

6. In a washing machine having vertically reciprocal vacuum cups and a container, in which the cups are received, said container having a bottom formed with a raised portion having curved sides located in spaced relation to the center and to the periphery of the bottom and merging into the latter, said raised portion substantially alined with the cups so as to resist the action of the latter, and means to rigidly support the raised portion.

7. In a washing machine having vertically reciprocal clothes pounders and a container in which the pounders are received, said. container having a bottom formed with a raised portion located to aline with the pounders so as to resist the action of the latter, and means to rigidly support the raised portion.

8. In a washing machine having vertically reciprocal clothes pounders and a container in which the pounders are received, said container having a bottom formed with a raised portion having curved sides and having its highest part vertically alined with the centers of the pounders so as to resist the action of the latter, and means to rigidly support the raised portion.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto alfixcd my hand this 10th day of January,'1925.

ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER. 

